Kenda K838 Slick Wire Bead Bicycle Tire, Blackwall, 26-Inch x 1.95-Inch

by Kenda

Product Features

• Slick MTB/Hybrid road and trail tire; 26 by 1.95 inches
• Patterned after motorcycle tires for low rolling resistance and traction
• Wire beads increase durability
• Directional grooves channel water to the outer tire edge
• Blackwall sides for a lighter weight profile

Product Description

Amazon.com

Patterned after motorcycle tires, the Kenda K838 Slick Wire Bead Bicycle tires offer increased speed and reduced rolling resistance for MTB and hybrid bikes--without sacrificing traction. Unlike a typical MTB knobby tire, the K838 Slick provides a smooth and consistent rolling surface that allows the tire to gain and maintain speed on paved and hard packed surfaces. Meanwhile the tire's wider, 1.95-inch profile and directional grooves provide the traction demanded by all terrain riding. The grooves also effectively channel water to the outer edge of the tire so that you can maintain a grip on wet roads, through puddles, and on wet trails. The blackwall sides reduce the overall weight profile of the tire and the wire bead pattern increases the tire's strength and durability. While not meant for serious off road riding, the Kenda K838 is a good choice for riders who want a smooth and fast experience on the road, but who also want to keep their MTB or hybrid trail ready.

Specifications:

• Wheel Size: 26 by 1.95 inches
• Weight: 737 grams
• Maximum recommended PSI: 65 pounds
• Minimum recommended PSI: 40 pounds

Product Description

Kenda K838 Slick Wire Bead Bicycle Tire, Blackwall, 26-Inch x 1.95-Inch comes highly respected аnԁ іѕ always a regular сhοісе amongst many people. Thіѕ product contains blackwall, wire bead аnԁ ехсеƖƖеnt tire.

Product Details

• Shipping Weight: 1.8 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• Shipping Advisory: This item must be shipped separately from other items in your order. Additional shipping charges will not apply.
• ASIN: B002DX1DWG
• Item model number: 04704N09
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (100 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #814 in Sports & Outdoors (See Top 100 in Sports & Outdoors)
  • #1 in Sports & Outdoors > Bikes & Accessories > Components & Parts > Tires

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

57 of 59 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Easy rolling tire based on motorcycle technology, July 26, 2010

By 

Ronald L. Russell (Pangaea) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Kenda K838 Slick Wire Bead Bicycle Tire, Blackwall, 26-Inch x 1.95-Inch (Sports)

My mountain bike needed new tires, the old ones were dry and cracked, and one had blown out through the sidewall. I decided that since I seldom ride in mud or on very loose surfaces, a smoother tread would allow me to ride along with lower effort and/or greater speed. Smooth tires on urban bicycles are nothing new, the Tioga City Slicker has been around for years, and probably serves as an inspiration for many other similar tires. I ordered the Kenda K838 based on the favorable reviews, and am very pleased. I ordered four tires, to upgrade two bicycles. They came in a box which was probably twice as large as it needed to be. As everyone else has mentioned, they are blackwall, not gumwalls as illustrated. Mounting the tires was no problem at all. I used a plastic tire lever to remove the old tires from the rims, and just popped the Kenda's on with my fingers, no tools needed. I inflated them and went for a ride. Note that while the tires can hold 60 psi, because of the larger volume of air contained, they work well at lower pressures, 35 to 40 psi for me, and provide a superior ride.

The tread design and profile are based on combined features from successful motorcycle tires. The tread pattern is very similar to that seen on the Bridgestone Spitfire, with directional grooves to channel water to the outside edge of the tread surface. This gives low rolling resistance and complete silence....no humming or howling knobs on pavement. Constant pedaling is not necessary, as the low rolling resistance means one can pedal a bit, then coast or glide a long distance.
They don't accelerate quite as easily as some narrower, lighter tires, say 700 x 28, but they do very well for a tire nearly 2 inches wide, and offer vastly better load capability, rim protection, flat resistance and a superior ride over irregularities. Bumps feel considerably "dampened", and the tires "float" undeflected over gravel patches instead of knifing in or skating around as a narrow tire might.

Their triangular profile is based on designs used on Dunlop TT100 motorcycle tires and others. This means that when viewed from the front, the tire doesn't look "circular" round, but has a "rounded triangle" shape. When riding straight, the narrow "point" of the triangle contacts the road, giving a lower resistance. As the bike banks over for turns, the broad "flank" of the triangle gradually spreads across the road, giving a broader contact area and better grip.

Owners of mountain bikes which are used more often on pavement and hard-packed dirt or gravel will probably enjoy these. They seem to be very well made and a good choice for their intended purpose.

31 of 32 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good tire and fast shipping with a few "pet peeves", November 1, 2009

By 

The Edge Part 2 (Utah USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Kenda K838 Slick Wire Bead Bicycle Tire, Blackwall, 26-Inch x 1.95-Inch (Sports)

First of all, this is a really good tire, you won't be disappointed. Note that it is black wall, not skin wall as shown in the picture, so the tire is all black - which I like better anyway. I use the bike for commuting, but where I live the roads aren't all that great so the size and capability of this tire works very well. The only issue I had was getting the tires on my wheel, they're extremely snug, so make sure you let ALL the air out of your tubes and be careful not to pinch the tube while getting the tire on. Also, I hope in the future the shipping company is more environmentally (and cost effectively) concious because I purchased two tires on the same day, they came in two huge, and separate boxes. I could have fit a filing cabinet in each on of the boxes - I thought that it was a waste of shipping material.

26 of 29 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Easy Rolling and Quiet........, September 5, 2009

By 

Easy Rider - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Kenda K838 Slick Wire Bead Bicycle Tire, Blackwall, 26-Inch x 1.95-Inch (Sports)

.......when compared to my original knobby MTB tires. They corner nicely and seem very smooth. A good economical choice for converting a Mountain Bike to asphalt surfaces and increase rolling efficiency.